Check valve



March 1, 1960 J. H. zlLLMAN ErAL 2,926,592

CHECK VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' Filed Deo. 18, 1956 INVENTORS KH Z/L L MAM Avon/EV;

March 1, 1960 J. H. zlL-LMAN ETAL 2,926,692

CHECK VALVE:

Filed Dec. 18,1 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet` 2 6L YN/v H. WILL/AMJ or replacement.

United States Patent CHECK VALVE Jack H. Zillman, Redondo Beach, and Glynn H. Williams, Huntington Park, Calif., assignors to U.S. Industries, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application December 18, 1956, Serial No. 629,152

7 Claims. (Cl. 137-512) 4often occurs. This is especially true after the check valve has been in service for some time.l When such backtlow takes place, it becomes necessary to replace the check valve. Such replacement often presents a time-consuming and expensive problem, as forexample where the check `valve constitutesl a part of a subterranean oil or` water well pump.

It is a majorobject of the present invention to provide a check valve that is especially adapted for use4 under conditions of high fluid pressures.

Another object is to provide a check valvethat will remain free of backtlow over extended periodsof time and hence will not necessitate other than infrequent repair A further object of the invention is to provide a check valve that is especially adapted for use with liquids containing solid materials, as for example sand or grit.

An additional object is to provide a check valve which is extremely simple in design and rugged of construction whereby it may afford a long and useful service life.

Yet a further object is to provide a check valve which is economical to construct as compared to conventional check valves, the check valve of the Vpresent invention readily lending itself to massproduction methods.` Another object of the invention is to provide a check weight.

It is a more particular object 'of theinvention to provide a check valve employing a rigid core formed with a uid outlet, a flexible self-closing lip-type sealing member on the core and unique means for preventing extrusion of the sealing member into the fluid outlet duringthe time the pressure exteriorly of the check valve exceeds the internal `pressure to which it is subjected.

. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following de* tailed description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view that is partially broken A, away, disclosing a first form `of check valve embodying 4 7 y Figure 5 is a perspective view that is partially broken away disclosing a second form of check valve embodying w the present invention, said valve being shown in open position;

and improved v jseat 20 encompasses each of the outlet apertures 18.

" valve having a maximum fluid capacity for its size and Y Aexternal walls of the core.

2,926,692 Patented Mar. l, 1960 ICC Figure 6 is a fragmentary'central sectional view of said second form of check valve;

Figure 7 is a perspective view that is partially broken away disclosing a third form of check valve embodying the present invention; and

Figure 8 is a central sectional view of said third form of check valve.

Referring to the drawings and particularly Figures l through 4 thereof, the first form of check valve embody ing the present invention includes a ygenerally cylindrical body or core C. This body or core C is of hollow construction and is formed of a rigid material such as metal. The rear end of the core C is secured to an inlet pipe 1,2. As indicated in Figure 3, the core C is formed with an axially extending fluid passage 14, the rear end of which receives flow through the pipe 12. The front end of the core C is formed with threeradially inwardly and forwardly extending side walls each of which are desig- `nated 16. These side walls 16 are 'of equal dimension vfront end of the fluid passage 14 with the space encompassing` the core C. As indicated particularly in Figure'S, a coaxial inwardly-cupped annular cavity or A flexible sealing member Sis attached to the core C, the rea-r portion of thisl sealing member S'being generally tubular so as to be telescopically received by the The front portion of tlie sealing member S is formed with three pairs of lips each pair being designated 22 and `24. The rear portion of the lips 22 and 24 merge into a radially outwardlyv and 'rearwardly tapered intermediate section 26. The intermediate sections 26 closely overlie the side walls 16 of the coreC in the relaxed condition of the sealing member. Preferably, the sealing member S will be offa natural or synthetic rubber material and will be so formed that in their relaxed position each of the paire of lips 22 and 24 will be in abutting relationship, as indicated in Figure 1. v

A closure element or button B is provided foreach of the outlet apertures 18. As indicated in Figures 3 and 4, the closure buttons B each include adisc 30, the peripheral edge 32 of which is Vcurved complementary inA prole to the curvature profile of the seat`20 of the core C. A coaxial stem 34 is integrally formed on the 4sections 26 of the sealing members S in alignment with the loutlet apertures 18. K

In the operation of the first form of check valve, assuming the exterior or downstream side of the valve to be exposed to a body of fluid existing at a pressure higher than that within the fluid passage 14, each of the pairs of lips 22 and 24 will be maintained. tightlypressed together bythe pressure differential. Additionally, the closure buttons B will be held firmly seated against their complementary cavities or seats 20. Referring to Fig ure 3, it should be particularly observed that during this condition the closure buttons B will serve to `positively restrain squeezing of the intermediate sections 26 of the p to permit uid to pass outwardly through. the front ends of these lips as indicated by the phantom lines inFigu're 3. Such uid ilow will continue until the pressure within the fluidV passage 14 again falls below that of the fluid surrounding the check valve. The sealing member S .and its closure buttons B will then return to their `original positions, A

Referring now to Figures 45 and 6, there is shown a second form of check valve yembodying the Vpresent invention. In this form, the cor/eC', is formed with an ,axially extending fluid passage 39.' This passage `39 terminates'adjacent the front end or" the core C in an inclined outlet `aperture itil. This outlet aperture 40 is encompassed vby a generally Vcruplshapfed cavity or seat 42. Forwardly of .the outlet aperture 4.0, the Acore C is formed with a scoop y49 that tapers forwardly and radially outwardly. Thesealing member S of the .second form of check valve'ihas a rear portion .which ,is generally tubular in congura'tionso as to telescopically encompass the Acore C'. 'lhe frontend of the sealing member S is formed with a pair of sealing lips .4d and 48, while its intermediate section il'protrudes inwardly so as to conform ,to the .profile of the core C forwardly of the outlet aperture 40.V A closure vbutton B similar to'that described lhereinalwve in conjunction with Figures l through 3 is molded or otherwise attached to the intermediate por- "tion 5,0 ofthe sealing member S so as to be in alignment .with .the outlet aperture 40 and the seat 12.

` ln the operationof this second forrnfof `check valve, `wheneverthe Apressure of theV lhuid on the exterior or .downstream side of the check valve exceeds that existing within the uid passage 3S of the core Cf, the flexible member kS will be maintained in its solid outline'position of Figure 6. ln such position, thev lips 45 and 48am tightly pressed together so as to prevent any backllow towards the fluid .passage 39. Additionally, the closure button -B' is seated tightly within its seat 42. Accordingly,` extrusion or squeezing of the intermediate section Stiof the sealing members ,S into the outlet aperture 4i) is positively prevented. kWhen the fluid pressure in the iluid passage 39 exceeds that existing exteriorly of the .check valve, outward flow through the aperture 40 will .'48 so las to permit outward flow of the fluid.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8 there is shown a third form .of check valve embodying the present invention. In this'vform of .check valve, the coreV C" is v formed .with an axially extending fluid passage 50. The front end of the core C" terminates in an angular wall 52, the lfluid passage Si) extending through this end wall ,so as to define an outlet aperture 54. rl-he out- 1let aperture 54 is normally closed by a ilapper S6, Y.the upper portion of which is rigidly ailxed `.as by Welding t the top .of the end wall S2. The ilapper 56 should be formed of a material such as ,spring steel whereby in itsrelaxed condition it will closely abut the end wall 52, as indicated solid .outlinein Figure 7. Thus, the `end wall 2. serves as a seat for the apper 56.

The rear portion of the sealing member S is generally tubular in configuration whereby it may telescopiically encompass the core C". In its relaxed position the sealing member S" will assume its solid outlineposi- .tion of Figure 7, and referring'vther'eto it will be seen that the front portion of the sealing member-5" is formed withva pair of sealing lips 5S and 6.9 which in v'their relaxed position closely abut one another.' The intermediate section 62 ofthe sealing member S `tapers downwardly and rforwardly so as to overlie ythe core .members end wall 52 and Vthe flapper 56; The parts .of the check valve will remain in asealing position .so AIgugA as the fluid lpressure exteriorly thereof ,exceeds the pressure within .the uidA passage-S0. Referring now to gure .8, when Ithe vfluid',plressure ,within .the ilui'd passnlge'S() exceeds that of the `Huid leneompassing thechek valve outward ilow through the outlet aperture V54 will take place. Such outward flow will lift the ilapper 56 from the end wall 52 while the lips 5S and 6i) are exed apart so as to permit this outward uid flow through the aperture 54, as indicated by phantom outline in Figure 7 and by solid outline in Figure 8. it should be noted at such time as the check valve is in a closed position the tlapper S6 positively prevents extrusion of the sealing member S into the outlet aperture 54.

It should be particularly observed that each of the aforedescribed forms of check valve is especially adapted for use with lluids containing solid, such as'sand ,or grit. This is true because even should such `solid particles becomelodged between the pairs of sealing lips, the material of these lips will be .sufficiently pliable to effect a sealing of the area surrounding each of the particles. The particles so trapped will be ilushed forwardly through the sealing lips upon subsequent outward'ilow of iluid therethrough. A Y

Various modifications and changes may be made with respect to `the foregoing description without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

;1. A check valve, comprising: a corevformed with a uid passage, a wall, and an annular outlet aperture formed insafidwall so as to connect said fluid passage with the exterior of said core, said wall also being A'rfo'rr'ned with an inwardly-cupped ring-like seat coaxial with the external side of said aperture; a flexible sealing memberr attached to said core and formed with self-k closing sealing lips which open to. permit outward ilow of fluid from. said passage through said outlet aperture, said lips `closing `upon the discontinuance of said ilow to prevent any backilow through said outlet aperture', and

a closure button supported by said sealing member in` ilvuid passage, al wall, and fan annular outlet apertureV formed inV said wall soas toV connect Asaid iluid passage withmthe exterior of i said core, said wall also being formed with Aan `inwardly-cupped ring-.like seat coaxial with/. theexternal fsideof said aperture; en elastic sealing member attached vto .saidcore and formed with :selfclosingA sealing lips which open to permity outward How of fluid' fromv said passage through said aperture, said lips closing upon the `discontiruiance of said flow to prevent ,any vbacliiow through said aperture, said lips being in` abutting relationship when said sealing member is in itsrelaxed .positionrand a .closure button supported by said sealing memberinalignment with said seat, said closure button' including adisc having a peripheral edge which is curved complementary in proleto the curvature profile of .said seat,v said closure .button moving outwardlyawayigfronl .said seat/during outward fluid ow Vthrough said aperture andreturnng to engagement with vsaid s eat so as to cover said aperture when the fluid pressure on the exterior of said sealing member .exceeds that existing .within said fluid .passage so as 'to Vprevent extrusionhofV said 'sealing member into said aperture.

3. A check Valve, comprising: a generally tubular core having oneend connectible toa source of duid .and its opposite end formed with a plurality .of radially inwardly and axially extending walls'an .outlet aperture formed in each of said V.walls so as to connect the interior ofsa'id core with its'exterior; a exible sealing member-having a tubular rear portion afxed to said core, a radially inwardly and axially tapered intermediate portion covering said walls and a front portion formed with a plurality of pairs of sealing lips corresponding to the number of said walls; and a plurality of closure elements each being supported in alignment with one of said apertures, said closure elements moving away from said apertures during outward uid ow therethrough and returning towards said core so as to cover said apertures when the uid pressure on the exterior of said sealing member exceeds that on the interior thereof so as to prevent extrusion of said sealing member into said apertures.

4. A check valve, comprising: a generally tubular core having one end connectible to a source of fluid and its opposite end formed with a plurality of radially inwardly and axially extending walls; an outlet aperture formed in each of said walls so as to connect the interior of said core with its exterior; an elastic sealing member having a`tubular rear portion aixed to said core, a radially inwardly and axially tapered intermediate portion covering said walls and a front portion formed with a plurality of pairs of sealing lips corresponding to the number of said walls, the lips of each of said pairs being in abutting relationship when said sealing member is in its relaxed position; and a plurality of closure elements, each being Vthat on the interior thereof so as to prevent extrusion of said sealing member into said apertures.

5. A check valve, comprising: a generally tubular rigid core having one of its ends connectible with a source of uid and its opposite end formed with a plurality of radially inwardly and axially inclined walls; an annular outlet aperture formed in each of said walls, said walls also being formed with inwardly-cupped ring-like seats coaxial with the external side of each of said apertures; a flexible sealing member having a tubular rear portion axed to said core, a radially inwardly and axially tapered intermediate portion covering said walls and a front portion formed with a plurality of pairs of sealing lips corresponding to the number of said walls; and a plurality of closure buttons, each supported by the intermediate portion of said sealing member in alignment with one of said seats, each of said closure buttons including a disc having a peripheral edge which is curved complementary in profile to the curvature profile of its seat, said closure button moving outwardly away from its seat during outward uid flow through said aperture and returning to engagement with its seat so as to cover its respective aperture when the uid pressure on the exterior of said sealing member exceeds that within said core.

6. A check valve, comprising: a generally tubular hol- 10W rigid core formed with an axially extending fluid passage, .said passage terminating in an inclined outlet aperture adjacent the front portion of said core, said core being formed with an inwardly-cupped ring-like seat coaxial with the external side of said aperture; a forwardly and radially outwardly tapered scoop formed on the front of said core; a exible sealing member having a generally tubular rear portion that telescopically encompasses said core, a front portion formed with a pair of sealing lips and an intermediate portionthat protrudes radially inwardly so as to conform to the profile of said core adjacent said aperture; and a closure element sup-A ported by said sealing member in alignment with said outlet aperture, said closure element including a disk having a peripheral edge which is curved complementary in prole to the curvature proiile of said seat, said closure element moving away from said outlet aperture during outward fluid ow therethrough and moving againstwsaid core so as to cover said outlet aperture when the'fluid pressure on the exterior of said sealing member exceeds that existing within said lluid passage so as to prevent extrusion of said sealing member into said outlet aper ture.

7. A check valve, comprising: a core formed with a uid passage, a wall, and an outlet aperture in said wall that connects said uid passage with the exterior of said core, said wall also being formed with a seat that encompasses the external side of said aperture; an elastic sealing member attached to said core and formed with selfclosing sealing lips which open to permit outward iiow of uid from said passage through said outlet aperture, said lips automatically closing upon the discontinuance of said flow to prevent any backow through said outlet aperture; and a rigid closure button supported in alignment with said seat, said closure button moving away from said seat with said sealing member during outward fluid flow therethrough and said closurel button returning to and engaging said seat so as to cover said aperture when the fluid pressure on the exterior of said sealing member exceeds that existing within said uid passage so as to prevent extrusion of said sealing member into said aperture.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 187,411 Painter Feb. 13, 1877 810,502 Nolan Jan. 23, 1906 1,515,645 Yablick Nov. 18, 1924 1,930,040 Crowley Oct. 10, 1933 1,969,118 Brucker Aug. 7, 1934 2,355,862 Harper Aug. 15, 1944 

